2000–2001
The Oxfordshire Golf Club
My first UK golf-course role placed me in a high-standard environment where presentation, detail and consistency mattered every day. It was the beginning of the professional habits I still carry with me.
My Story
Golf has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
The places changed. The lessons about people, responsibility and stewardship stayed with me.
South Africa
Where the game became personal.
I grew up in Durban, South Africa, with an early love of the outdoors. My dad was a scratch golfer, and by the time I was eight I was caddying for him, shagging balls and pulling his cart while he played local competitions.
It was there that I learned the rules, etiquette, how to play and, most importantly, the way golf connects people.
The game gave me a connection with my father. The profession later gave me mentors, friendships, opportunity and a responsibility to give something back.
The UK years · 2000–2009
Where a job became a profession.
The United Kingdom gave me my professional foundation. Four very different roles expanded my understanding of golf-course maintenance, estate management, sports turf, standards and leadership.
2001–2003
Frilford Heath Golf Club
As an Assistant Greenkeeper, I continued building the practical skills of the profession while working across an established golf property and learning from experienced greenkeepers around me.
2003–2005
Clayton House · Sir Jackie Stewart
Serving as Estate Manager and Head Greenkeeper broadened my responsibilities beyond golf. The role demanded ownership, planning, presentation and stewardship across an entire estate.
2005–2009
Radley College
As Deputy Head Groundsman, my experience expanded into multi-sport turf management and team operations. Those years reinforced that agronomy is only part of the job: people, communication and shared standards determine what a team can achieve.
More than experience
The relationships came with me.
The UK years gave me technical range and leadership experience, but the relationships mattered just as much. Many of the people I learned alongside became lifelong friends and colleagues—one of the enduring gifts of this profession.
America
A new chapter in Texas.
In March 2009 I joined The University of Texas Golf Club as a Spray Technician. I progressed through the operation to become Senior Assistant Superintendent, learning warm-season turf management and helping lead daily maintenance, tournament preparation and improvement projects.
In 2012 I moved to Omni Barton Creek Resort & Country Club. Superintendent roles across the Fazio Foothills, Lakeside and Coore Crenshaw courses expanded my experience in team development, course improvement, irrigation and renovation.
In 2018 I accepted the Director of Agronomy role with the Alamo City Golf Trail. Public golf gave me a new perspective: consistent conditions matter, but so do access, community, workforce development and stewardship of public assets.
What the journey taught me
People make the difference.
My rugby background taught me that talent alone does not create a team. Trust, accountability, commitment and doing the hard yards for one another do.
Golf course maintenance is no different. Every team includes different experience levels, personalities, strengths and ambitions. Leadership means recognizing those differences and helping people become stronger together.
That idea sits at the heart of Leave It Better.